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Maria Fuerte, a fifth-grader at Giese School, sent in today's inquisitive logo. Thanks Maria!

How did Piggly Wiggly get its name?

Our answer is courtesy of http://www.PigglyWiggly.com: Clarence Saunders founded Piggly Wiggly in Memphis, Tenn., in 1916. His idea of a grocery store revolutionized the way you shop for groceries.

Prior to Piggly Wiggly, shoppers gave their grocery list to a clerk, who then gathered the goods for the shopper. Saunders found this wasteful, and developed a way for shoppers to serve themselves. Piggly Wiggly introduced shopping carts, open shelves and no clerks to shop for the customer.

Saunders' new idea caught on, and he issued both franchises and stock. He controlled Piggly Wiggly through the early 1920s, but lost control through a series of bad stock transactions.

He fielded constant questions about the name; the Web site said Saunders was curiously reluctant to explain its origin.

One story is that he saw, from a train window, several little pigs struggling to get under a fence, and the rhyming name occurred to him then.

Someone once asked him why he picked such an unusual name for his organization. Saunders is reported to have said:

"So people will ask that very question."

Saunders obviously wanted a name worthy of being talked about and remembered, and it's clear he reached his goal.

Does Wisconsin have a "lemon law?"

A "lemon law" is in force in the Badger State. The Department of Transportation Web site deals extensively with the lemon law. Check it out at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/consumer/rights/lemonlaw

Stop by the Racine Public Library if you lack Internet access. Or keep reading.

A car is a lemon if it's a new vehicle, less than one year old and still under warranty with: a serious defect the dealer can't fix in four tries; or one or many defects that prevent using it for a total of 30 days.

A defect, under the lemon law, must seriously affect the use, value or safety of the vehicle, and must be covered by warranty.

If you believe you might own a lemon, paperwork is key. Keep repair orders, warranties, contracts - anything you think will document your issue.

A form is available on the DOT Web site if you need to ask the manufacturer for a refund or new vehicle.

Consider retaining a lawyer if the situation is severe. Check the Web or call the DOT at (800) 924-3570 for more complete information.

What is the local ordinance on burning in your backyard?

It's that time of year, isn't it? It's time to rake leaves and maybe start a little fire to rid your yard of tree droppings. It's also the time of year for another of you dear readers to ask this question of GYA.

If you live in Racine, don't do it - burn in your backyard, that is. Ask as many questions as you like.

The Racine city ordinance on this issue is quite clear. It's found in Division 3 of the "City of Racine's Municipal Code." Division 3 deals with open flames and burning. Section 50-261 deals with backyard burning.

It reads:

"No person shall kindle, start or maintain any rubbish fire or open fire for the burning of combustible materials without a permit from the Fire Department. This section shall not apply to fires set for training or instruction in firefighting, for testing of fire equipment, for cooking, unless such cooking is done in a manner which imposes a risk of personal injury or property damage or for events of community interest where written permission has been granted by the fire chief."

Mount Pleasant and Caledonia residents, or anyone outside the City of Racine, should call their municipal halls for burning rules.

What is Glad You Asked?

Glad You Asked attempts to find answers to questions from Journal Times readers. Selected questions and the answers will be published in this column. Call (262) 631-1758 to submit a question, or do so by e-mail at:

ask@journaltimes.com